There is “Having faith” and then there is “Being faithful.” Faith is the belief that something is true even though we can’t see it or don’t understand it. But having faith is not the same as having the fullness of faith.
We all have an intuitive understanding of what the word “Faithful” means. We remain at a friend’s side through both good times and bad. We show up for work in a snow storm. We don’t run to the arms of a lover just because our marriage isn’t going perfectly. Faithfullness has to do with loyalty, allegiance, and remaining true to your promises no matter what circumstances arise.
The word “Faithful” is a combination of the words “Faith” and “Full.” To be faithful is to be full of faith. If one is full of faith, one cannot possibly have room for anything else, because by definition, to be faith-ful is to be full. Mary was “Full of grace” leaving no room for sin. Satan is “Full of lies” and he has no truth in him. And so one who is “Full of faith” leaves no room for doubt. One who is faithful has no disloyalty. Those who are faithful do not have wavering hearts.
If “Faith” is the inclination of the heart and mind to loyalty, then the fullness of faith is the inclination of the will. Faith-fulness, the fullness of faith, implies action. Faithfulness is more than a firm resolve or having the desire to remain loyal; it is the act of actually remaining loyal. Faithfulness is not only the resolve to defend that to which we are trying to be faithful but the actual defense should a threat arise. The “Fullness of faith” is not only a resolve to remain loyal should a temptation to disloyalty arise, but actually remaining loyal in the face of very real temptation. To act a certain way or to remain in a certain state over time according to one’s loyalty is the very definition of faithfulness. If having faith inclines the heart and mind toward a state of loyalty, then the fullness of faith - faithfulness - is the acting out of that inclination in our daily lives.
Abraham reached the fullness of faith when he was asked to sacrifice his son. He believed in the promise and his faith was reconed to him as righteousness. Then he acted in the fullness of his faith and became the Father of Faith for all believers.
***So also faith of itself, if it does not have works, is dead. Indeed someone might say, “You have faith and I have works.” Demonstrate your faith to me without works, and I will demonstrate **my faith to you from my works. You believe that God is one. You do well. Even the demons believe that and tremble. Do you want proof, you ignoramus, that faith without works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered his son Isaac upon the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by the works. (James 2:17-22)*Abraham’s belief, and his radical action flowing from the fullness of that belief, are the basis’ for James stating that Abraham demonstrated his faith by his works, that his faith was active in the fullest measure through his works and that his faith was completed by his works. Abraham was full of faith. Abraham was “Faithful”
that Jesus calls all to faith is undeniable But Jesus requires a radical commitment from all of us - that we renouce our mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters, deny ourselves, crucify ourselves and follow him unreservedly, even to death if that is where he wants us to go. Jesus calls us to faith but as James says, even the demons believe. Jesus calls us beyond simple faith to its fullness, where one’s heart is not divided, where one has no room for disloyalty, where one acts without hesitation.
*I am prompt, I do not hesitate in keeping your commands. Though the snares of the wicked surround me, your teaching I do not forget. (Psalm 119:60-61)*I’m going to say something here which will horrify some Catholics. I’m not too sure I totally disagree with the Protestant assertion that salvation is by faith. Salvation certainly is by faith, but not by ordinary faith, not simple belief which results in a desire to be loyal, not the faith that the demons have, and certainly not by faith alone. .
***"Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. … Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them *will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock. And everyone who listens to these words of mine but does not act on them will be like a fool who built his house on sand. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. And it collapsed and was completely ruined." (Matthew 7:21,24-27)
Protestants who say that salvation is through faith alone don’t go far enough. Jesus teaches us that salvation is for those who, unlike the demons and unlike those who James calls ignoramuses, reach the fullness of their faith, those who, like Abraham, act out of the fullness of their faith when Jesus calls them to do so.
***For God is the one **who, for his good purpose, works in you both to desire and to work. (Philippians 2:13)*This is why Paul is so awsome. He just nails it and the Catholic Church has been echoing these words of Paul for twenty centuries. Salvation is by God’s grace. It is God who works in us to both have faith (desire) and to reach the fullness of faith (work). . We must have faith, and we must reach the fullness of faith, but it is God who works in us to bring this about.
David, James, Paul and Jesus all agreed.
-Tim-
Is this what they are teaching now days Guan? I must confess, I have never in my life heard this teaching. I was raised Christian Reformed, and was a member of a Reformed Baptist Church for years. I never heard this teaching. Maybe one of our Reformed friends could tell me more. It sounds like a new teaching. Peace 
Matthew,Mark Luke and John.